Aldrich Ames, a CIA officer turned double agent, has passed away at the age of 84. His death occurred on Monday at the Federal Correctional Institution in Cumberland, Maryland. Ames had been serving a life sentence since April 28, 1994, for selling classified information to the Soviet Union and later Russia.
CIA Mole Aldrich Ames: A Betrayal of Trust
Ames is notorious for compromising over 100 clandestine operations, leading to the identification of more than 30 agents working for the West. This betrayal is believed to have resulted in the deaths of at least 10 CIA intelligence assets. Ames’s involvement with the KGB began in April 1985, when he decided to provide them with information to alleviate his financial problems. His initial payment for this treachery was $50,000.
The Rewards of Treason
Known by the KGB as “Kolokol” (The Bell), Ames identified nearly all CIA assets in the Soviet Union, receiving substantial reward for his cooperation. In a statement to the court, he revealed that the KGB had set aside $2 million as a gesture of gratitude for his disclosures. Over nine years, he accepted approximately $2.5 million from the Soviet Union.
- Ames lived a lavish lifestyle funded by his espionage earnings.
- He purchased a new Jaguar, took luxury vacations, and bought a $540,000 home.
- Despite his annual salary never exceeding $70,000, his spending habits raised suspicions.
Career and Personal Struggles
Ames’s career at the CIA began in 1962, following his father’s influence. He married fellow agent Nancy Segebarth in 1969 and worked in various international posts, including Turkey and Mexico. However, his personal life deteriorated due to alcohol issues and the pressure of financial obligations.
In 1983, Ames became the head of the CIA’s Soviet counterintelligence department, even amidst concerns regarding his drinking and security violations. His growing debt and the need to support two wives led him down the path of espionage. FBI agent Leslie G. Wiser stated, “It was about the money,” emphasizing Ames’s lack of pretense regarding his motivations.
The Downfall and Legal Consequences
Ames’s espionage career ended in February 1994 when he was arrested following an extensive investigation. He cooperated with authorities to secure a plea deal that benefitted his second wife, Maria del Rosario Casas Dupuy, who also faced charges as his accomplice. She was released after five years for her cooperation.
R. James Woolsey, the CIA director at the time of Ames’s arrest, condemned him as “a malignant betrayer” of his country. Woolsey noted that Ames’s betrayal led to agents losing their lives because “a murdering traitor wanted a bigger house and a Jaguar.”
Aldrich Ames’s actions have left a lasting impact on intelligence operations, highlighting critical issues of loyalty and betrayal within national security.
